From the folds of the turban to the curls of the beards, these sentinels are life-like with incredible attention to detail.

On closer inspection, one notices that not all guards are Sikhs. Though some are depicted with turbans and sport moustaches, many are clean shaven.

Only some of the statues carry the kirpan (small sword). Among other things, Sikhism requires its followers to maintain a beard and carry a kirpan.

The guards were always made in pairs, replacing the traditional Chinese warrior gods who were erected to protect the dead from harm.

REDEVELOPMENT OF BUKIT BROWN

Closed in 1973, Bukit Brown lay relatively forgotten until 2011, when plans were announced to redevelop it and build roads and residential buildings.

It was expected that some graves with the Sikh guards were among those which would be affected.

In response to queries, a National Heritage Board spokesman told tabla! that, “only one grave with a pair of Sikh guard statues was affected by the road development through Bukit Brown Cemetery”.

“Following an assessment of its heritage value, the pair of Sikh guards is now part of the national collection under the care of the National Heritage Board.”

Mr Ishvinder Singh, 30, a third generation Singaporean, said he had no idea about the existence of these guards and was taken aback when he saw the pictures in 2011.

As a practising Sikh, he immediately identified with them.

“This was a time when I was having conversations with myself about my Sikh roots and Bukit Brown popped up.” said Mr Singh who is working as a project engineer in the US.

Creating the Sikh Heritage Trail, a free app, to interactively visit Sikh places of interest in Singapore, was an idea that germinated in Mr Singh’s mind.

A STORY OF OUR SHARED HERITAGE

One of the trails featured in the app is the Sikh guards of Bukit Brown.

He was helped in his research by Ms Vithya Subramaniam, 28, who is currently a teaching assistant at the National University of Singapore.

Said Mr Singh: “In this process, I reconnected with the Singapore story where Bukit Brown reminded me what it is to be a Singaporean; that we are willing to invite, embrace and accept differences, even taking them to our graves. Ultimately, I reconnected and reclaimed a Sikh identity that embodied a narrative closer to South-east Asia.”

Said Ms Subramaniam: “We have no hard evidence about where these statues came from.”

But, judging from the design elements and workmanship, she believes they were probably made by craftsmen in China and imported to Singapore by affluent Chinese Singaporean businessmen with the rest of the tomb materials.

The pioneers of Singapore entrusted their wealth and their lives to these trusted guards who will guard their masters in death as they had done in life.

MOST PHOTOGRAPHED TOMB

PHOTO: RAKESH KUMAR

This is the tomb of Chinese physician Chew Geok Leong (d. 1932).

These Sikh guards protect what is undoubtedly the most photographed and well maintained of all the tombs at Bukit Brown.

They wear formal uniforms and apart from the gun, also carry a ceremonial sword (kirpan).

Mr Fabian Tee, a volunteer Brownie, pointed out that each guard had a role assigned to them as shown by the words painted next to the muzzle of the gun.

While one was a patroller, the other was a sentry.

Interestingly, the tomb and the guards were imported from China by Mr Chew and kept in his home, awaiting his passing.

THE BENGALEE GUARDS

PHOTO: RAKESH KUMAR

The tomb of Mr Tan Boon Cheng is unique as it is housed in a crypt, an underground room or vault.

The two guards here are surrounded by household items of the caretakers who live within the building.

Having been sheltered, the stone is smooth and the detailing clearly visible.

Although the paint has faded, evidence of it still remains especially on the guards’ turbans.

Both guards are non-Sikhs and the caretakers refer to them as “Bengalee” —- a term commonly used in the olden days for Indians who arrived in Singapore after crossing the Bay of Bengal.

Note that the letters on the guard’s buckle seem to have been written upside down.

GUARD WITH A KIRPAN

PHOTO: RAKESH KUMAR

Mr Peter Pak stands beside the statue of a Sikh guard at the grave of Mr Lim Kow Nah.

The statue is about 2 feet tall (about 60cm). Most guards are between 2 feet and 6 feet in height.

Notice the kirpan on the guard’s waist.

On the other side is a water pouch.

CAST IN CONCRETE

PHOTO: RAKESH KUMAR

Though heavily eroded, this is a guard with Malay/Chinese features, and he watches over the grave of Mr Teng Bin Chai.

Unlike the others, it is made of concrete.

The broken parts of the gun and the metal rod jutting from the top of the gun, lend credence to this belief.

The eyes are rimmed with red paint and the colour may have been added at a later date to make the guard look fierce.

BROWNIES OF BUKIT BROWN

PHOTO: RAKESH KUMAR

All Things Bukit Brown is a group of volunteers collectively known as the Brownies, who have been collecting, researching and documenting information about the cemetery.

They regularly conduct walking tours to educate people about this part of Singapore’s history.

Mr Peter Pak, 44, (above) is a senior project manager with the National Library Board. In his spare time, he volunteers as a Brownie.

Mr Pak has extensively documented and photographed the Sikh guards for the last six years in his blog, Rojak Librarian.